With the 2009 Ashes series getting under way at the Swalec Stadium tomorrow, we take a look at some of Cardiff's most memorable sporting moments. And not all of them involve rugby. Honest ...
1905 The birth of the All Blacks
The New Zealanders, known to history as the Originals, wore all black for the first time on this, their first tour during which teir only defeat came against Wales in Cardiff, by 3–0. Ask any Kiwi about Bob Deans's controversially disallowed try. Really, they want you to ...
1958 Commonwealth Games
The first and so far only Games to take place in Wales, with the old Arms Park providing the main arena. Notable for the Queen's Baton Relay – similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, only with a stick rather than a flame – taking place for the first time.
1973 Barbarians v New Zealand
The one with the try. You know: "David, Tom David, the halfway line ... brilliant by Quinnell! ... this is Gareth Edwards! A dramatic start! What a score!" Thanks to commentator Cliff Morgan for that, and thanks to Phil Bennett, JPR Williams, John Pullin, John Dawes, Tom David, Derek Quinnell and Gareth Edwards for the greatest try of all time. The Barbarians beat the All Blacks 23–11 and 'the try' was only the half of it. Bliss.
1985 Jock Stein dies at Ninian Park
Scotland's great manager, Jock Stein, suffered a fatal heart attack as his team qualified for the 1986 World Cup by beating Wales. A black day.
1999 Rugby World Cup
Built on the site of the old Cardiff Arms Park, the Millennium Stadium opened in June 1999 and that autumn it hosted the World Cup final. That match, on a terrible pitch between Australia and France, was, like the rest of the tournament, a bit dull. Better to remember the opening ceremony – Shirley Bassey dressed in a flag and Cerys Matthews singing about being Welsh. Lovely. Ish.
2001 Owen's Cup final
The first FA Cup Final outside England went into folklore when Michael Owen scored two late goals to help Liverpool beat Arsenal 2–1.
2005 Australia humbled
Australia's Ashes preparations stuttered as Bangladesh – yes, Bangladesh – beat the world champions by five wickets – in the Natwest Series match at Sophia Gardens. The sport's web bible, Cricinfo, described the result as "he biggest ever upset in one day cricket". And we all know what happened in the subsequent Test series against England ...
2007 Millennium Magic
Rugby, but the other kind – for the first time an entire Super League round was played in one stadium over one weekend, with three matches each day. They liked it so much they came back the next year. The year after that ... they moved the show to Murrayfield. Ah, well.
